The League of Legends World Championship, affectionately known as Worlds, is the pinnacle of competitive play. Beyond the dazzling displays of individual skill and the strategic prowess of the teams, one crucial element often dictates victory: champion selection. These picks, made in the tense moments before the match begins, are not simply about choosing a favorite character; they are a complex interplay of team composition, counter-picking strategies, and predictions about the opponent’s plans. The champions chosen, and the success or failure that follows, become an integral part of Worlds lore. Did you know that Lee Sin has been selected over a thousand times at Worlds, shaping the course of competitive history? This article will delve into the fascinating world of champion selection at Worlds, exploring the most frequently picked champions, analyzing the reasons behind their enduring popularity, their substantial impact on the evolving metagame, and recounting some notable examples where these picks led to either glorious triumphs or heartbreaking defeats.
Before we dive into the champions themselves, it’s crucial to understand how this analysis was conducted. The data compiled for this article comes from reputable sources, including Leaguepedia and Oracle’s Elixir, drawing from a comprehensive historical record spanning the entire history of the World Championship. We focused on champions with significant pick rates, understanding that a champion’s popularity is often linked to its perceived strength and adaptability. It’s also essential to acknowledge the limitations of this type of analysis. The League of Legends metagame is constantly shifting, influenced by patches, item changes, and evolving strategies. A champion that was dominant in one year might be completely irrelevant in the next. Therefore, the popularity of a champion at Worlds is heavily contextual, tied to the specific conditions of each tournament.
The Elite Five: Most Frequent Faces on the Worlds Stage
Several champions have consistently graced the Worlds stage, becoming almost synonymous with competitive League of Legends. These are the titans of the draft, the picks that teams turn to time and time again, whether for their reliability, versatility, or sheer power. Let’s take a look at some of the most picked champions throughout Worlds history:
The Blind Monk: Lee Sin
Lee Sin, the Blind Monk, is a champion known for his incredible mobility and early game pressure, he is often the go to pick for any jungler. He is predominantly a jungler, though he has seen play in the top lane in certain metas, Lee Sin has a notable pick rate percentage at Worlds. His win rate, while respectable, is often slightly lower than his pick rate, suggesting that his early game dominance doesn’t always translate into late-game victories. Lee Sin’s popularity stems from his immense versatility and playmaking potential. He can gank lanes effectively, secure early objectives, and disrupt the enemy team in skirmishes and team fights. His ability to kick opponents into his team with his ultimate ability is a game-changing tool, capable of turning the tide of battle in an instant. We saw this time and time again, in certain Worlds tournaments, where players like [Insert Famous Lee Sin Player Name] demonstrated the true potential of the Blind Monk, leading their teams to victory with daring invades and perfectly timed kicks.
The Chain Warden: Thresh
Thresh, the Chain Warden, is a master of crowd control and playmaking. Primarily a support champion, Thresh boasts a consistently high pick rate at Worlds. His win rate is usually solid, reflecting his ability to protect his carries and set up crucial kills. Thresh’s appeal lies in his unparalleled kit. His Death Sentence hook can initiate fights or peel for allies, his Dark Passage lantern provides a safe escape for teammates, and his Flay slows and displaces enemies. He is a playmaker support. Thresh’s ability to influence the map and control team fights makes him a valuable asset to any team. The champion has been consistently picked in worlds across various years. Numerous professional supports are known for their exceptional Thresh play.
The Lady of Clockwork: Orianna
Orianna, the Lady of Clockwork, is a staple of the mid lane. She maintains a high pick rate at Worlds, and a similarly impressive win rate that demonstrates her consistency. Her strength lies in her ability to control team fights with her Command: Shockwave ultimate ability. Her other skills provide her with the utility and damage to be a constant threat throughout the game. Orianna excels in scaling with items and providing consistent damage output and utility in team fights, making her a reliable pick for any team composition. Her ability to zone enemies and protect her carries with her ball makes her a valuable asset. Orianna’s popularity as a safe and reliable mage for any team to rely on makes her a champion who will be a mainstay at Worlds, year after year.
The Sheriff of Piltover: Caitlyn
Caitlyn, the Sheriff of Piltover, is a marksman known for her long range and safe laning phase. She is consistently picked for her strong early game presence and her ability to scale into a late-game threat. She has a pick rate percentage that reflects her popularity as a consistent and reliable ADC. Caitlyn’s range allows her to harass enemies from a safe distance, making her difficult to engage on. Her traps can control areas of the map and provide valuable vision. Her ultimate ability, Ace in the Hole, can snipe out low-health targets from across the map. Caitlyn is a popular pick, especially in metas where ranged ADCs are favored, and provides a consistent source of damage for her team, making her a frequent sight at Worlds.
The Rabble Rouser: Gragas
Gragas, the Rabble Rouser, is a versatile champion who can be played in the jungle, top lane, or even mid lane. His pick rate often fluctuates depending on the current meta, but he remains a consistent presence at Worlds due to his ability to initiate fights, disrupt enemy formations, and provide sustain for his team. He has a decent win rate that stems from his versatility and impactful abilities. Gragas’ Explosive Cask ultimate is a powerful tool for engaging or disengaging, and his Drunken Rage provides him with much-needed sustain and damage reduction. His Body Slam can be used to gap close or escape, making him a slippery and difficult target to pin down. Gragas is often chosen for his ability to adapt to different team compositions and his effectiveness in both early and late-game scenarios. He provides his team with the much-needed flexibility they can use in any draft.
The Ever-Shifting Sands: Meta Evolution and Champion Diversity
The League of Legends metagame is a constantly evolving landscape, shaped by balance changes, item updates, and the innovative strategies of professional teams. This constant evolution has a profound impact on champion selection at Worlds. What was considered a must-pick in one year might be deemed completely unviable the next. In the earlier years of Worlds, we often saw a narrower pool of champions being played. As the game has evolved, however, the champion pool has expanded. Yet even with the ever-growing roster, some champions continue to remain as the safe and consistent picks.
Patches and balance changes are a major driving force behind meta shifts. A simple buff to a champion’s base stats can suddenly catapult them into the spotlight, while a nerf can send them spiraling into obscurity. The professional teams are constantly adapting to these changes, experimenting with new builds and strategies to find the most optimal way to play. This often leads to a period of intense experimentation at the beginning of each season, as teams try to identify the hidden gems and discover innovative ways to utilize existing champions.
The rise and fall of certain champion archetypes are also a recurring theme at Worlds. We’ve seen periods where hyper-carry ADCs dominated the meta, forcing teams to prioritize protecting them at all costs. Other times, engage supports like Leona or Alistar were the go-to choice, enabling aggressive plays and decisive team fight victories. Split-pushers, like Jax or Tryndamere, have also had their moments in the sun, applying pressure to different lanes and forcing the enemy team to split up their resources.
Left on the Bench: The Champions That Worlds Forgets
While some champions are consistently picked at Worlds, others rarely see the light of day. These are the forgotten heroes, the champions that, for whatever reason, never quite make it into the competitive spotlight. Numerous factors can contribute to a champion being rarely picked. They might be too easily countered, requiring a very specific team composition to work effectively, or having a high skill ceiling with inconsistent results. Sometimes, a champion is simply outclassed by other champions in the same role, offering less utility or damage for the same amount of effort. There are plenty of champions that can be named. But the lack of popularity does not mean they are useless.
These unpicked champions can sometimes surprise us though. Teams may pull them out as counterpicks or pocket picks, and show off their unique team compositions.
Looking Ahead: Predicting the Future of Worlds Picks
Champion selection at the League of Legends World Championship is a dynamic and complex process, influenced by a multitude of factors. The most frequently picked champions are not simply the strongest, but rather the most versatile, reliable, and adaptable to the ever-changing metagame. As the game continues to evolve, we can expect to see new champions rise to prominence, old favorites fade away, and the ongoing dance of strategy and counter-strategy that makes Worlds so captivating. Balance patches will continue to shape the picks we see in Worlds to come.
The choices of champions have defined World tournaments over the years. These picks are memorable, they showcase what the teams want to accomplish, and are the opening moves of a chess match that takes place in the rift. Will we see any new, unexpected champions rise to prominence at the next World Championship? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the champion selection phase will continue to be a critical battleground, shaping the course of the tournament and defining the legacy of the teams that compete.
